13 January 2025/
ANUPAMA BHAGAWAT: A MAESTRO OF HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC
Vidushi Anupama Bhagawat, a celebrated Hindustani classical and devotional vocalist, is a distinguished disciple of Pandit Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee. She stands as a beacon of Hindustani Classical music, enchanting audiences with her profound connection to the sitar. Her music is a mesmerizing blend of scintillating fast taans, meditative alaap, and a brilliant fluency of melody (raaga-bhava). Anupama’s performances captivate audiences with their depth and adherence to tradition, making her a true maestro in the world of classical music.
Her dedication and talent have earned her widespread recognition, including the honor of having an asteroid named after her by Italian astronomer Vincenzo Silvano Casulli in 2006.
ANUPAMA BHAGAWAT: A JOURNEY OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
Anupama Bhagawat’s musical journey began in Bhilai, where she was surrounded by the melodies of her family’s instruments. She started with violin and vocal training at the tender age of five. By nine, she had embarked on sitar lessons with Shri R. N. Verma. Later, she had the privilege of studying under the legendary musician Acharya Bimalendu Mukherjee. Anupama Bhagawat is a leading disciple of the doyen of the Imdadkhani Gharana, Pandit Bimalendu Mukherjee, who was a disciple of Ustad Enayat Khan and the father of Padma Bhushan Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee. Anupama Bhagawat‘s style is marked by fast, scintillating taan, mastery of the meditative alaap, and a brilliant fluency of melody, all while staying true to tradition.
Esteemed Sarod virtuoso Ustad Amjad Ali Khan once remarked on her exceptional commitment and dedication, expressing his pleasant surprise at her captivating performances. “When Anupama began her recital, my interest started piquing. It was after a long time that I was hearing a female instrumentalist playing with such commitment and dedication. I was pleasantly surprised to hear her.”
THE ENCHANTING PERFORMANCES OF VIDUSHI ANUPAMA BHAGAWAT
Vidushi Anupama Bhagawat, a celebrated Hindustani classical and devotional vocalist, has enchanted audiences with her profound performances all over the world.
Anupama Bhagawat has graced numerous prestigious platforms across the globe, captivating audiences in India, the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Her collaborations with renowned musicians from the Carnatic genre through jugalbandis (duets) on the Veena, Flute and Violin have been nothing short of mesmerizing. Anupama’s talent has also shone brightly on the world music stage, with performances at Global Rhythms, Lotus Festival, Cincinnati Choir, Darbar Festival in South Bank Center and many more.
In addition to her performances, Vidushi Anupama Bhagawat has shared her knowledge and passion for music through numerous workshops and lecture-demonstrations. She has conducted these sessions at leading universities and music conservatories in the USA, Europe and India, inspiring and educating the next generation of musicians.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Vidushi Anupama Bhagawat’s illustrious career is adorned with numerous awards and accolades. In 1994, she secured first place in the All India Radio Music Competition, a testament to her exceptional talent. From 1993 to 1996, she was honored with the HRD Scholarship from the Government of India, further recognizing her musical prowess. In 1995, she was conferred the prestigious title of ‘Surmani’ by the Sur Shringar Sansad.
Her contributions to world music are equally impressive, with performances at renowned events such as Global Rhythms and Shanti. Her dedication to her craft has been acknowledged with grants from the Ohio Arts Council in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2008.
In addition to her performance accolades, Anupama has achieved significant academic success. She obtained her Master’s degree in music from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (Khairagarh), India. She is also empanelled with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the “Outstanding Artist” category. Her talent has been showcased on various platforms, including All India Radio, Doordarshan National Television (India), WDPR (Dayton Public Radio), WEFT (Champaign, IL) and Mood Indigo (California Arts TV).
In a world filled with diverse music genres, the sitar stands as a symbol of Indian culture, admired globally. Anupama Bhagawat’s mission is to preserve its essence, and her dedication ensures that the timeless beauty of the sitar continues to enchant and inspire audiences around the world.
ANUPAMA BHAGAWAT’S DEDICATION TO BOTH PERFORMANCE AND EDUCATION HAS SOLIDIFIED HER REPUTATION AS A TRUE AMBASSADOR OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC.
